Original Listing Description

eBay This is a seldomly seen and RARE Antique Coca Cola Charlie McCarthy CBS Advertisement Banner Sign, screen-printed on cotton canvas, advertising both Coca-Cola and the Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy Radio show, which was sponsored by Coca-Cola beginning in 1949. Bergen and McCarthy promoted Coca-Cola in both CBS radio programs and print ads until 1952. The first ever Coca-Cola radio commercial was heard during the Charlie McCarthy Show. This piece reads: "Coca-Cola brings you Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy Sunday Evenings...Tune in KNX - 5:00 P.M." These banners are very rare and pop up on the market about once every 20 years or so. Collectors do not want to part with them, and very few have survived intact. Only one other example is known to exist. Approximately 42 1/2 x 60 1/4 inches (including frame.) Actual visible artwork is approximately 40 1/2 x 58 1/2 inches. Good - Fair condition for 70+ years of age, display usage, and storage, with some small tears to the canvas, scuffs, and areas of soiling (please see photos.) The contemporary custom wooden frame has some chipping, hairline cracks, and edge wear. Considering that this advertisement is on canvas, these condition issues could be addressed by a tactful Art Restorer. Acquired from an old sign collection in Los Angeles County, California. Due to the large size of this piece, S&H costs will be unavoidably high. However, Free Local Pickup from Los Angeles County, California is also an option. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks!About this Item:The oldest food hocking dummy they have is Charlie McCarthy, the ventriloquist dummy of Edger Bergen. The Edgar Bergman show was a ventriloquist radio show debuted in 1937 on the Chase and Sanborn Hour. In 1949 the show, now called the Charlie McCarthy Show, adopted Coca-Cola as their sponsor and Bergen and McCarthy promoted it on the radio and in print ads until 1952. The first ever Coca-Cola radio commercial was heard during the Charlie McCarthy Show. The sale was led by an original oil painting featuring radio stars Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy checking out a cooler full of Coca-Cola from 1949. This artwork was used in numerous company advertisements and also prominently featured on the back cover of an issue of National Geographic in 1950, attributed to Haddon Sundblum. The artwork opened at $18,000 and shot to a final price of $53,680. It fell to the bidding number wielded by Ted Ryan and Justine Fletcher, who were in the gallery representing the famous Atlanta headquartered company’s archive department. (Condition: Pre-Owned)

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Coca Cola collectors and appraisers.